Rome, 24 January, the Luiss Business School of the prestigious Luiss Guido Carli University in Rome organized a workshop on“Business Opportunities in South East Asia.” Philippine Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr, as the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Rome (ACR), led the discussion with a presentation, focusing on the opportunities that abound in the region with the establishment and key characteristics of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).  The Ambassador stressed that, despite political and natural disaster-related challenges in some ASEAN countries, it remains a fact that the ASEAN region remains one of the most rapidly growing regions of the global economy. The young, vibrant and optimistic population in the region was likewise highlighted.

The Ambassadors of Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar also shared the opportunities specific to their countries, and their economies as it relates to the greater ASEAN region.

Other speakers of the workshop included the top officials of leading Italian companies in the sectors of finance, food and fibers, such as Mr. Giovanni Castellaneta, President of SACE (insurance and financial products); Mr. Paolo Cuccia, President of the Gambero Rosso Holding (food and wine); and Ms. Giusy Bettoni, CEO and co-founder of C.L.A.S.S. (sustainable fiber).

Possible areas of cooperation between Luiss University and leading business, management, law and political science-centered schools in the ASEAN region were identified as ways forward to further strengthen Luiss-ACR engagement.